The Importance Of Computers In Nursing

Computers are essential to the nursing profession because of the continuing changes technology provides. Nurses utilize computers in several different aspects to manage and provide care in their positions. As newer technology is introduced, nurses have adjusted and learned to integrate computers into their practice. Now that computers have become so involved in nurses performing their duties, it is imperative that teaching computer competency begins in nursing curriculum. Nursing programs need to identify how to increase and incorporate computer competency skills to prepare nursing students for their future in the nursing profession. Determining ways to implement increased computer competency in nursing curriculum needs to begin with The …show more content…
Providing a background of informatics and the implications to nursing practice ideally help students to understand the role technology has in healthcare. Explaining that information technology continues to improve patient safety and allowing healthcare professionals to provide quality care. Ideally the push to increase use of computers to improve competency needs to be incorporated in multiple classes and not left just to an informatics course. There are so many available technologies that one course could not cover the content, but allowing students to continue practicing with computerized application throughout the program will increase competency. Mailloux (2011) content within the curriculum can be innovative and create liberated learning environments not only for students but also …show more content…
An ideal way to allow students to begin practicing is with simulated academic electronic health records (AEHR) and this can be used throughout the program and in conjunction with a simulation lab (Watts, 2016). Experiences with the AEHR provide students to the ability to become familiar with accessing patient information and practice inputting documentation. The AEHR also introduces students to other components that EHRs have and some of those include electronic medication administration records (eMAR) and computerized physician order entry (CPOE). The experience this type of system provides to students is ideal to prepare them for face-to-face clinical experiences. The more opportunities the students have to work with simulated health records the more comfortable they are with using the technology, so it will be important that the AEHR is used throughout the program and not just in one